Transaction card assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular transaction card assembly includes a card frame having the traditional dimensions of a credit card, and a transaction card that is smaller than a traditional card and that fits into a receptacle of the card frame. Each of the card frame and the transaction card may be capable of performing contactless data transactions individually. The combined assembly of the card frame with the transaction card secured in the receptacle is also capable of performing contact data transactions, and in some instances, with an identifier that is distinct from the card frame or the transaction card alone. The card frame may include a processor enabling it to perform data encryption and authentication of the smaller transaction card.

FIELD OF USE

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to transaction cards and morespecifically to a modular transaction card having multiple form factors.

BACKGROUND

Transaction cards have different form factors with differentcapabilities. Traditional credit cards, for example, may performtransactions contactlessly, using a magnetic strip, or via a smart chip.Transaction cards in smaller form factors, such as ones with a holepunch that can be attached to a keychain, are often more convenient tocarry and may have the same transaction features, but not all cardreaders are able to work with the smaller dimensions.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects describedherein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intendedto identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of theclaims. The following summary merely presents some concepts in asimplified form as an introductory prelude to the more detaileddescription provided below.

The methods, devices, systems, and/or computer-readable media disclosedherein relate to a transaction card assembly that includes a card framehaving the traditional dimensions of a credit card, and a transactioncard that is smaller than a traditional credit card (e.g., a “mini”transaction card). The transaction card may be capable of performingcontactless data transactions (for example, credit card purchases) onits own via wireless communications, but may not be compatible withcertain card readers, such as a chip reader, which accepts only atraditional credit card format. The card frame includes a receptaclethat accepts and secures the transaction card and couples it to anantenna in the card frame, permitting the combined card frame andtransaction card assembly to perform data transactions as a traditionalform factor transaction card.

The receptacle in the card frame may have electrical contacts that matewith electrical contacts on the transaction card to couple it to thecard frame antenna. In some variations, the card frame may have a secondantenna that wirelessly communicates with an antenna in the transactioncard when it is secured in the receptacle.

The card frame may include other features, such as electronics toprovide power to the transaction card in the receptacle and may includeshielding to prevent the antenna in the transaction card and the antennain the card frame from both communicating with a card readersimultaneously.

In some variations, the card frame comprises a processing circuit forimplementing a smart card frame. The processing circuit may include acomputing device and memory storing computer instructions for enablingthe card frame to work on its own as a transaction card without thesmaller transaction card in the receptacle. The computing device mayfurther implement authentication and cryptographic functions. Forexample, the card frame may authenticate the transaction card in thereceptacle as a condition for completing a data transaction. The cardframe may be used with multiple different transaction cards, with eachcombination of the card frame and different transaction cards having aunique identifier that is distinct from the identifier of eachtransaction card alone and different from the identifier of the cardframe alone.

These features, along with many others, are discussed in greater detailbelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described by way of example and not limited inthe accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in which a transaction card assembly may beused in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2H illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assembly inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assemblydevice in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an electrical circuit according toone or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first example method for using a transaction cardassembly to perform a data transaction according to one or more aspectsof the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second example method for using a transaction cardassembly to perform a data transaction according to one or more aspectsof the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a processing circuit according toone or more aspects of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a process for using a transactioncard assembly to perform a data transaction according to one or moreaspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in whichaspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and structural and functionalmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Aspects of the disclosure are capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology usedherein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. Rather, the phrases and terms used herein are to be giventheir broadest interpretation and meaning. The use of “including” and“comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional itemsand equivalents thereof.

By way of introduction, aspects discussed herein may relate tocomponents, methods and techniques for a smart card system forperforming contactless data transactions, the smart card system. Thesmart card system includes a smart card frame and one or moretransaction cards. Each transaction card includes a first antenna and afirst processor circuit that may perform, via the first antenna, a firstcontactless data transaction with a terminal. The first contactless datatransaction may be based on a first secure credential stored in andunique to that transaction card. The smart card frame includes a flatsheet and a receptacle integrated in the flat sheet. The receptacle maybe configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure each of the oneor more transaction cards in the smart card frame. The smart card framemay include a second antenna; and a second processor circuit integratedin the flat sheet. For each of the one or more transaction cards, thesecond processor circuit may be configured to generate a third securecredential based on a second secure credential stored in the smart cardframe and based on the first secure credential of the transaction card.The third secure credential may be unique to the combination of thetransaction card and the smart card frame. The combined smart card frameand a transaction card may then perform a second contactless datatransaction with the terminal based on the third secure credential.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 that illustrates several components thatmay be found when conducting a transaction with different types oftransaction cards. For example, system 10 shows a card reader 120 (e.g.,a point-of-sale terminal), that may exchange data with transaction cards(e.g., 102) through a plurality of communication techniques. The cardreader 120 may be communicatively coupled to a server 140 via network130.

Card reader 120 may be any suitable card reader capable of exchangingdata and/or information with transaction cards 102. In this regard, cardreader 120 may be a chip-based reader, a magnetic-based reader, an EMVreader, a wireless based reader, or any combination thereof.Accordingly, card reader 120 may include a display, a keypad, a networkinterface and a card interface. The display may present information tothe cardholder, such as the amount owed, the status of the transaction,and whether the transaction has been approved or denied. A keypad ortouch screen may allow a cardholder to input a personal identificationnumber (PIN) code, password, an amount for withdrawal, and the like. Anetwork interface may be a wired connection, wireless connection, ashort-range wireless connection, a near field communication (NFC)connection, or any combination thereof. The network interface may permitcard reader 120 to communicate with server 140, via network 130, forexample, to authorize a transaction. The card interface may permit cardreader 120 to communicate with transaction cards 102. In theseinstances, card reader 120 may convey information related to thecardholder's account to transaction cards 102. Card reader 120 may belimited in the ways it can communicate with different types oftransaction cards. For example, card reader 120 may have a transactioncard chip reader that only works with the dimensions of a standard sizecredit card, but not with the dimensions of transaction card 102, whichin some instances, may have smaller or non-standard dimensions (e.g., amini-card connectable to a key ring).

Various aspects described herein, which address this compatibilityissue, are directed to a card assembly 100 comprising a card frame 101that secures a smaller transaction card 102 in a receptacle 103. In someembodiments, the card assembly 100 performs data transactions with cardreaders not compatible with transaction card 102, and optionally, with aunique identifier that is distinct from an identifier of transactioncard 102 when the transaction card is not secured in the card frame 101.

Server 140 may be a stand-alone server, a corporate server, or a serverlocated in a server farm or cloud-computer environment. According tosome examples, server 140 may be a virtual server hosted on hardwarecapable of supporting a plurality of virtual servers. Server 140 may beconfigured to execute server-based software configured to providecardholders with access to account information and perform routingbanking functions. In some embodiments, the server-based softwarecorresponds to client-based software executing on card reader 120.

Network 130 may be any type of communications and/or computer network.The network 130 may include any type of communication mediums and/or maybe based on any type of communication standards or protocols. In thisregard, network 130 may include the Internet, a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless telecommunications network,and/or any other communication network or combination thereof.

Devices and systems 120, 130, and 140 in FIG. 1 may be implemented, inwhole or in part, using one or more computing systems, for example, asdescribed below with respect to FIG. 7 .

Transaction card 102 and card frame 101, individually or combined ascard assembly 100, may be configured to permit a cardholder to accessone or more types of accounts. In this regard, transaction card 102,card frame 101, and/or card assembly 100 may behave as a credit card, acharge card, a debit card, a prepaid card, a smartcard, a payment cardor an EMV card. In some embodiments, transaction card 102, card frame101, and/or card assembly 100 may be an identification card, a clubmembership card, a rail pass card, or a building access card. As will bediscussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 , transactioncard 102, card frame 101, and/or card assembly 100 may be chip-enabledand/or may include a magnetic strip. In further embodiments, transactioncard 102, card frame 101, and/or card assembly 100 may include NFCcapabilities, short-range wireless communication capabilities (e.g.,Bluetooth®), wireless communication capabilities (e.g., Wi-Fi), or anycombination thereof. The NFC capabilities, short-range wirelesscommunication capabilities, and wireless communication capabilities maybe referred to collectively as communication capabilities. Thesecommunication capabilities may permit transaction card 102, card frame101, and/or card assembly 100 to communicate with card reader 120.

Turning to FIG. 2A-2H, various views of card assembly 100 areillustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrating front andback views, card frame 101 of card assembly 100 may be of a standardsize and made of a suitable substrate, such as plastic, metal, etc. Forexample, card frame 101 may be formed as a flat sheet having a roundedrectangle perimeter. In some variations, the flat sheet is 3.361 to3.382 inches wide, 2.119 to 2.133 inches high, and 0.027 to 0.033 inchesthick.

Card frame 101 may include a magnetic strip 204 for storing data (e.g.,credit card information) that may be read and written to by card reader120, and may include an antenna 201 capable of wireless communications(e.g., NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) with another device, such as carder reader120 in FIG. 1 .

Receptacle 103 in card frame 101 may be configured to secure, permitremoval of, and resecure transaction card 102. Card frame 101 mayfurther include an electric circuit 205 for interfacing transaction card102 to card frame antenna 201, when transaction card 102 is secured inthe receptacle 103. Details of electric circuit 205 are furtherdescribed below with respect to FIGS. 4 and 7 .

Transaction card 102 may include a computer chip 203 and its own antenna202 capable of wireless communications (e.g., NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)with another device, such as carder reader 120 in FIG. 1 . Asillustrated in the figures, antenna 202 and computer chip 203 may beembedded within transaction card 102, and may be located anywhere in theperimeter of the transaction card 102 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B,and at any depth or on either surface of the transaction card 102.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view A-A of FIG. 2B. Asillustrated in FIG. 2C, the magnetic strip 204 may be embedded in, or onthe surface of one side of, card frame 101, enabling it to be read by amagnetic strip card reader. Antenna 201 and electric circuit 205 mayalso be embedded in, or on the surface of one side of card frame 101. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, antenna 201 may be integrated along theperimeter of card frame 101. In some variations, card frame 101comprises a flat metal sheet and the antenna 201 is insulated from themetal sheet. In further variations, the antenna 201 is exposed along theedge of the card frame or is not completely surrounded by the metalsheet, so that the metal sheet does not interfere with reception andtransmission of radio frequency communications by the antenna 201.

The locations of magnetic strip 204, antenna 201, and electric circuit205 are not limited to those locations illustrated in the figures andmay be located anywhere in the perimeter of the card frame 101illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and at any depth or on either surface ofthe card frame 101 illustrated in FIG. 2C.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, in some variations transaction card 102,when secured in receptacle 103, may be substantially within the outerdimensions of card frame 101, such that card frame 101 and transactioncard 102 together form card assembly 100 as a uniform piece that appearsand functions as a traditional transaction card (e.g., credit card).

Computer chip 203 in transaction card 102 may be a smart chip orintegrated circuit.

In this regard, chip 203 may include a microprocessor and memory, suchas read only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory (RAM).Additionally, chip 203 may include one or more contact pads (illustratedin FIG. 2A) to receive electric power to operate the transaction card102 and exchange signals with a terminal, such as card reader 120. Insome instances, the chip 203 may be configured to execute one or moreapplications. The applications may allow chip 203 to process payments.In other examples, the applications may allow the chip 203 to performcryptographic processing, authentication, define risk managementparameters (e.g., when the transaction may be conducted offline),digitally sign payment data, and/or verify the cardholder. When securedin the receptacle 103 of the card frame 101, the contact pads of chip203 may be positioned to appear as contact pads for the card frame 101.In some variations, transaction card 102 may be configured to perform afirst transaction (e.g., a data transaction via chip 203 and/or antenna202 authenticated with a first set of credentials) when the transactioncard 102 is not inserted into card frame 101, and perform a secondtransaction (e.g., a data transaction via chip 203 and/or antenna 201authenticated with a second set of credentials) when the transactioncard 102 is inserted into card frame 101.

FIGS. 2D-2F illustrate various examples of view B of FIG. 2C to show inmore detail the transaction card 102 inserted in receptacle 103. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2D and 2E, card frame 101 may be a flat sheetcomprising two opposing surfaces separated by a thickness and bounded bya perimeter (illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B), wherein the receptacle 103comprises a hole passing completely through the thickness of the flatsheet. The receptacle 103 may have a perimeter (as illustrated in FIGS.2A and 2B) that matches entirely, or only at some edges of, theperimeter of the transaction card 102. As illustrated in FIG. 2D, thetransaction card 102 and receptacle 103 may have an interference fit inwhich the profile of the transaction card 102 has a protrusion 208,which fits within a groove 207 of the receptacle 103 to secure thetransaction card 102 in the card frame 101. The material of theprotrusion 208 and/or the walls of the groove 207 may be flexible toallow the transaction card 102 to be secured, removed, and resecured inthe receptacle 103 with the application of opposing forces perpendicularto the faces of the card frame 101 and transaction card 102respectively, for example, to snap the transaction card 102 into thereceptacle 103. While protrusion 208 is illustrated as curved and groove2007 is illustrated in the shape of a “v,” these may be of any profilethat provides an interference fit. Additionally, the profiles may bereversed so that the perimeter of the transaction card 102 has a groove,and the receptacle 103 has a protrusion.

FIG. 2E illustrates another example, in which the perimeters of thereceptacle 103 and transaction card 102 have mating rims 210 and 209respectively with mirrored profiles. In some variations, the transactioncard 102 may be inserted from only one side of the card frame 101. Thetransaction card 102 may be secured in the receptacle 103 by frictionbetween the perimeters of the transaction card 102 and receptacle 103.In other variations, the transaction card 102 may be magneticallycoupled to the receptacle 103 and/or card frame 101 to secure, enableremoval of, and resecure the transaction card 102 in the card frame 101.Each of these configurations can be used together, for example by someedges of the transaction card 102 being secured with agroove/protrusion, and some with mirrored rims that are coupledmagnetically. Transaction card 102 may be configured to detect whetherit is inserted in the card frame 101, and based on this detection,perform different operations (e.g., perform different types of datatransactions or take on different identities).

While FIGS. 2D and 2E illustrate the receptacle 103 as a hole passingcompletely through the flat sheet of the card frame, in othervariations, the receptacle 103 may be a recess in one of the twoopposing surfaces with the other surface being completely or partiallyclosed.

FIG. 2F illustrates another variation of receptacle 103 comprising aslot 211 having an open end, along the perimeter between the twoopposing surfaces of the card frame 101, through which the receptacle103 is configured to secure, enable the removal of, and resecure thetransaction card 102.

In some variations, the card frame 101 and/or receptacle 103 may providean electromagnetic shield preventing the antenna 202 in the transactioncard 102 from receiving or transmitting radio frequency signals whilethe transaction card 102 is secured in the receptacle 103. For example,in the receptacle 103 in FIG. 2F, one or both surfaces of the card frame101 may be coated or made of a conductive material (e.g., aluminum,stainless steel, titanium), which covers the transaction card 102partially or completely. In this way, the card frame 101 may disable thetransaction card antenna 202 while the transaction card 102 is securedin the receptacle 103, thus preventing both antennas 201 and 202 fromrelaying data transactions simultaneously. Alternatively oradditionally, transaction card 102 may disable its antenna 202 based ondetecting that the transaction card 102 is secured in the receptacle103.

As previously discussed, when transaction card 102 is secured inreceptacle 103, it may be interfaced to antenna 201 in the card frame101 via electric circuit 205. FIGS. 2G-2H illustrate views C and D ofFIGS. 2D-2E, respectively, which illustrate details of electricalcontacts for electrically coupling transaction card 102 to electriccircuit 205. As illustrated in these figures, card frame 101 may includeone or more electrical contacts 211 along the perimeter of thereceptacle 103 that contact a corresponding one or more electricalcontacts 212 on the perimeter of the transaction card 102 when thetransaction card 102 is secured in the receptacle 103. In FIG. 2G,contacts 211 and 212 are illustrated on the mating protrusion 208 andgroove 207, respectively, but the contact coupling can be positioned atany location at which the transaction card 102 comes into contact withthe card frame 101 so that contacts 211 and 212 touch. Similarly, inFIG. 2H, contacts 211 and 212 are illustrated on the first rim of cardframe 101 and mating second rim of transaction card 102, respectively,but the contact coupling can be positioned at any location at which thetransaction card 102 comes into contact with the card frame 101 so thatcontacts 211 and 212 touch. For example, if the receptacle 103 is arecess or a slot, the card frame 101 may have contacts on the bottomsurface of the recess or inside surface of the slot, which contactcorresponding contacts on a surface of the transaction card 102.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate different views of another variation of cardassembly 100, in which card frame 101 communicates with transaction card102 wirelessly (e.g., without using contacts 211 and 212). FIG. 3Aillustrates a front view, FIG. 3B illustrates a back view, and FIGS. 3Cand 3D illustrate cross-section views C-C of receptacle 300. Asillustrated in these figures, card frame 101 includes an additionalantenna 301 proximate to the receptacle 103. For example, as illustratedin FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, antenna 301 may be embedded in the card frame101 and may encircle the perimeter of the receptacle 103, and thusencircle antenna 202 when the transaction card 102 is secured in thereceptacle 103. In other variations, for example when the receptacle 103comprises a recess or a slot as illustrated in FIG. 3D, antenna 301 maybe embedded in or on the surface of the wall of the slot or on thebottom of a recess. In this assembly, transaction card 102 and cardframe 101 exchange data via radio frequency communication betweenantennas 202 and 301, which may include implementing a wireless protocol(e.g., NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)). Insome variations, antennas 301 and 202 provide inductive power transferbetween card frame 101 and transaction card 102. In some variations thecard frame 101 includes both electrical contacts 211 and antenna 301,which may alternatively be used, or used in combination, depending uponwhether the transaction card 102 has corresponding features andcapabilities (e.g., contacts 212 and antenna 202).

Transaction card 102 may be coupled to antenna 201 in the card frame byelectric circuit 205 via the electrical contacts 211 and 212 or by theelectromagnetically coupled antennas 202 and 301. In one variation,electric circuit 205 may comprise wire conductors and (optionally)passive components (e.g., capacitors, resistors, inductors) thatelectrically (e.g., directly or capacitively) connect antenna 201 tocontacts 211 and/or antenna 301.

FIG. 4 illustrates circuit 400, which is another variation of electriccircuit 205. Circuit 400 may include one or more conductors 405 that areconnected between antenna 201 and transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 incard frame 101. Antenna 201 may receive and radiate radio frequencysignals, which correspond to signals carried on the one or moreconductors 405 to and from transceivers and/or amplifiers 401.Similarly, one or more conductors 409 are connected and carry electricalsignals between contacts 211 or antenna 301 and transceivers and/oramplifiers 401. The transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 condition thesignals, for example by amplifying and filtering them, and exchange theconditioned signals between conductors 405 and 409 to provide a completecommunication path for data carried in the signals between the antenna201 in the card frame and the transaction card 102 in the receptacle103.

For example, the electric circuit 400 may be configured to receive, viacontacts 211 and conductors 409, a first signal comprising transmissiondata from the transaction card 102 (through contacts 212), amplify thefirst signal with transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 to generate anamplified first signal, and transmit wirelessly the amplified firstsignal including the transmission data via conductors 405 and antenna201. Similarly, the electric circuit 400 may be configured to receivewirelessly, via antenna 201 and conductors 405, a second signalcomprising reception data, amplify the second signal to generate anamplified second signal with transceivers and/or amplifiers 401; andtransmit the amplified second signal including the reception data, tothe transaction card 102 via conductors 409 and contacts 211. Thisrelaying of data between the antenna 201 in the card frame 101 and thetransaction card 102 in the receptacle 103, and wirelessly transceivingthe data between the antenna 201 and a terminal may be used to perform acontactless data transaction between the transaction card 102 and aterminal. In some variations, transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 mayinclude communication protocol capabilities, such as NFC, Wi-Fi,Bluetooth®, and/or BLE.

Electric circuit 400 may further include a power circuit 403, which isconfigured to generate electric power from signals from antenna 201 inthe card frame 101. For example, radio frequency electromagnetic energy(e.g., radio frequency wireless signals) may be received by antenna 201and conducted along conductors 405 to power circuit 403. These may bethe same or different signals that carry data and are conditioned andamplified by transceivers/amplifiers 401. Power circuit 403 may includea power converter (for example, comprising a capacitor and a diode) thatconverts the radio frequency signals to electrical power (e.g.,alternating current or direct current power). The generated electricalpower may be provided via conductors 407 to energize the electricalcircuits within the transceivers and/or amplifiers 401. The electricalpower may additionally or alternatively be provided via conductors 409to contacts 211 and 212 to the transaction card 102. In some variations,the electrical power is converted back to radio-frequency signals andtransmitted via antenna 301 to the transaction card 102, which may beconfigured to receive these signals via antenna 202 and convert them toelectrical power internally in the transaction card 102 (e.g., inductivecharging).

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 for using the transaction card102 with and optionally without card frame 101. In step 510, transactioncard 102 may be secured in receptacle 103 of card frame 101 as describedabove (e.g., with an interference fit or magnetic coupling). In step515, radio frequency electromagnetic energy (e.g., a wireless radiofrequency signal) may be received via antenna 201.

In step 520, second antenna 202 in the transaction card 102 is disabledfrom receiving radio frequency signals from outside of the card frame101. In some examples, this prevents the card assembly 100 (101 and 102together) from performing or attempting to perform multiple transactionswith a card reader (e.g., a point-of-sale terminal), by for example,receiving radio frequency transmission on both antenna 201 and 202. Insome variations (for example, as shown in FIG. 2F and described above),antenna 202 is disabled by the card frame 101 by providing anelectromagnetic shield around the antenna 202. In other variations, thetransaction card 102 detects that it is secured in the receptacle 102,and based on this detection, disables the antenna 202 internally in thetransaction card 102.

In step 525, the card frame 101 converts the received radio frequencysignals into electrical power (e.g., direct-current oralternating-current power), and in step 530, the electrical power isprovided via electrical contacts 211/212 or antennas 301 and 202 (viainductive coupling) to the transaction card 102 in the receptacle 103 asdiscussed above.

In step 535, the card frame 101 may relay, via the electrical contacts211 and 212 or antennas 301 and 202, electrical signals comprising databetween antenna 201 in the card frame 101 and the transaction card 102in the receptacle 103. This may be performed by electric circuit 400 aspreviously discussed, or by computing device 700, which is furtherdescribed below with respect to FIG. 7 . In step 540, card frame 101 maywirelessly transceive this data to and from a card reader 120 (e.g., aterminal). The transceiving may include radiating and/or receiving thedata in radio frequency signals from antenna 201. In step 545, the cardassembly 100 completes a contactless data transaction between thetransaction card 102 and the terminal based on the relaying and thetransceiving of the data.

In step 550, the transaction card 102 is removed from the card framereceptacle 103, as previously described above. Once removed, in step550, the transaction card 102 may perform a second contactless datatransaction with the card reader (or a different card reader) (e.g.,terminal) using its antenna 202. The steps of process 500 may beperformed in other orders and all steps need not be performed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for card frame 101, for example usingelectric circuit 400, to relay and transceive data. In step 610, thecard frame 101 may receive (for example via the electrical contacts 211or antenna 301) a first signal comprising transmission data from thetransaction card 102. In step 615, the card frame 101 may amplify (forexample using transceivers and/or amplifiers 401) the first signal togenerate an amplified first signal. In step 620, the card frame 101 maytransmit, wirelessly via antenna 201, the amplified first signal, forexample to a card reader 120. In step 625, the card frame 101 mayreceive, via antenna 201, a second signal comprising reception data, andin step 630, the card frame 101 may amplify (for example usingtransceivers and/or amplifiers 401) the second signal to generate anamplified second signal. In step 635 the card frame 101 may transmit(for example via the electrical contacts 211 or antenna 301) theamplified second signal to the transaction card 102. The transmission ofthe first signal comprising transmission data and the reception of thesecond signal comprising reception data may be performed in any orderand may be related, with one being based on, or in response to, theother, and with both part of a contactless data transaction (e.g., acredit card transaction). Processes 500 and 600 may be performedseparately or together.

In some variations of card frame 101, electric circuit 205 includes aprocessing circuit for implementing a smart card frame. For example,electric circuit 205 may comprise computing device 700 as illustrated inFIG. 7 . Computing device 700 may include a processor 703 forcontrolling overall operation of the computing device 700 and itsassociated components, input/output device 709, memory 715, and/orcommunication interface 723. A data bus may interconnect processor(s)703, memory 715, I/O device 709, and/or communication interface 723.

Input/output (I/O) device 709 may include a port (e.g., contacts,conductors, modem) through which the computing device 700 may receiveinput, such as for initial programming, receiving authentication keys,etc., prior to being issued to a cardholder.

Software may be stored within memory 715 to provide instructions toprocessor 703 allowing computing device 700 to perform various actions.For example, memory 715 may store software used by the computing device700, such as an operating system 717, application programs 719, and/oran associated internal database 721. The various hardware memory unitsin memory 715 may include volatile and nonvolatile media implemented inany method or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Memory 715 may include one or more physical persistentmemory devices and/or one or more non-persistent memory devices. Memory715 may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electronicallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology that may store information and that may be accessed byprocessor 703.

Communication interface 723 may include one or more transceivers,amplifiers, digital signal processors, and/or additional circuitry andsoftware for communicating via antennas 201 and/or 301 and/or contacts211. Communication interface 723 may also include near fieldcommunication (NFC) capabilities, short-range wireless communicationcapabilities (e.g., Bluetooth®), wireless communication capabilities(e.g., Wi-Fi), or any combination thereof. Communication interface 723may include some or all of the features of electric circuit 400illustrated in FIG. 4 .

Computing device 700 may further include a power circuit 730, which maybe the same as power circuit 403 described with respect to FIG. 4 forconverting radio frequency electromagnetic signals to electrical powerfor powering computing device 700 and transaction card 102 as previouslydescribed.

Processor 703 may include a single central processing unit (CPU), whichmay be a single-core or multi-core processor, or may include multipleCPUs. Processor(s) 703 and associated components may allow the computingdevice 700 to execute a series of computer-readable instructions toperform some or all of the processes described herein. Although notillustrated in FIG. 7 , various elements within memory 715 or othercomponents in computing device 700, may include one or more caches, forexample, CPU caches used by the processor 703, page caches used by theoperating system 717, and/or database caches used to cache content fromdatabase 721. For embodiments including a CPU cache, the CPU cache maybe used by one or more processors 703 to reduce memory latency andaccess time. A processor 703 may retrieve data from or write data to theCPU cache rather than reading/writing to memory 715, which may improvethe speed of these operations.

Although various components of computing device 700 are describedseparately, functionality of the various components may be combinedand/or performed by a single component and/or multiple computing devicesin communication. And although various components of computing device700 are described separately from the various components of electriccircuit 400, these various components and their functionality may becombined and/or performed by a single component and/or multiplecomputing devices in communication.

The inclusion of a processing circuit, such as computing device 700,greatly expands the capabilities of card frame 101, such as: enabling itto work as a transaction card on its own (without transaction card 102secured in the receptacle), providing security measures limiting the useof the card frame to only certain paired transaction cards 102, andenabling the card frame to take on multiple different identities,depending upon whether a transaction card is inserted in the receptacleand depending upon which of multiple different transaction cards isinserted into the receptacle.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for using the card frame 101 thatincludes a processing circuit, such as computing device 700. Process 800begins with step 810, in which the card frame 101 receives, via antenna201, a first communication from a terminal, such as card reader 120. Thefirst communication may communicate data (in either or both directions)and be the beginning or part of a data transaction (e.g., a contactlesstransaction, NFC transaction) with the terminal. In step 815 the cardframe 101 detects, based on the first communication, whether atransaction card 102 is secured in receptacle 103. The detection may,for example, be based on a communication between the transaction card102 and computer device 700, or may be based on a measurement of anelectrical parameter (e.g., detection of a resistance at contacts 211).In response to detecting that the transaction card 102 is present in thereceptacle 103, steps 820-855 may be performed to complete a contactlessdata transaction based on the combination of card frame 101 andtransaction card 102 together as card assembly 100. In response todetecting that the transaction card 102 is absent from the receptacle103, steps 860-875 may be performed to complete a contactless datatransaction based on the card frame 101 alone.

If transaction card 102 is present in the receptacle 103, card frame 101in step 820, performs a second communication with transaction card 102.The second communication may convey data (in either or both directions)for performing the data transaction with the terminal. The card frame101 may in step 825 receive in the second communication, a first securecredential from transaction card 102, which may be unique to transactioncard 102, and may in step 830 authenticate the first secure credential,for example, using a decryption and/or authentication applicationexecuted in computing device 700. In step 835, the card frame 101 (forexample, using computing device 700) may determine, based on the secondcommunication and/or the authenticated secure credential, an identity oftransaction card 102.

In step 840 the computing device 700 may (optionally) retrieve from amemory (e.g., 715) in the card frame 101, a second secure credentialuniquely associated with the card frame 101. Performance of step 840 maybe based on confirming that the identity or authenticated securecredential of the transaction card 102 is authorized to be used with thecard frame 101. For example, computing device 700 may have stored inmemory, a list of one or more identities of different transaction cardsauthorized to be used with the card frame 101. If the transaction card102 is not authorized to be used with the card frame 101 (e.g., becausetransaction card 102 is not in the list), the process may end withoutcompleting the data transaction.

In step 845 computing device 700 in the card frame 101 may generate athird secure credential based on the first secure credential and(optionally) based on the second secure credential. The third securecredential may be unique to the combination of the card frame 101 andtransaction card 102 (for example, by being derived from the first andsecond secure credentials). Computing device 700 may be configured togenerate multiple different third secure credentials based on the secondsecure credential and, respectively, multiple different first securecredentials of multiple different transaction cards 102.

In step 850 card frame 101 may perform, via antenna 201 and based on theidentity of the transaction card 102 in the receptacle or based thethird secure credential, a third communication with the terminal. Theperformance of steps 845 and/or 850 may be based on or in response tothe successful authentication of the first secure credential. The thirdcommunication may contain data conveyed in the second communication andadditional data (e.g., the third secure credential). In step 855 thecard frame 101 may complete a contactless data transaction between thetransaction card 102 in the receptacle and the terminal based on dataconveyed in the second communication and the third communication. Ineach of the communications, the data may be conveyed (in either or bothdirections) and (optionally) encrypted, with computing device 700performing encryption and decryption of the data.

Returning to step 815, if the transaction card 102 was determined to beabsent from the receptacle 103 integrated in the card frame 101, step860 may be performed in which the card frame 101 retrieves from thememory in the card frame 101, the second secure credential as describedabove with respect to step 840. In step 865 card frame 101 may perform,via antenna 201 and based on the second secure credential, a fourthcommunication with the terminal. In this step, the second securecredential is uniquely associated with just the card frame 101 and isdistinct from the secure credentials of the transaction cards 102. Instep 875 card frame 101 completes a data transaction (e.g., contactlessdata transaction, NFC transaction) between the card frame 101 and theterminal based on data conveyed (in either or both directions) in thefourth communication. In the fourth communication, the data may beencrypted, with computing device 700 performing encryption anddecryption of the data.

With the steps of process 800, the card frame 101 may appear as multipledifferent transaction cards when performing contactless datatransactions, each with a unique identity, that is specific to the cardframe 101 alone (with the receptacle 103 empty), or specific to theunique combinations of the card frame 101 and each different transactioncard 102 inserted in the receptacle. Moreover, the transaction cards 102also appear unique with their own respective identities when performinga data transaction without the card frame.

One or more aspects discussed herein may be embodied in computer-usableor readable data and/or computer-executable instructions, such as in oneor more program modules, executed by one or more computers or otherdevices as described herein. Generally, program modules includeroutines, programs, objects, components, and data structures thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data typeswhen executed by a processor in a computer or other device. The modulesmay be written in a source code programming language that issubsequently compiled for execution, or may be written in a scriptinglanguage such as (but not limited to) HTML or XML. The computerexecutable instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium suchas solid-state memory, RAM, and the like. As will be appreciated by oneof skill in the art, the functionality of the program modules may becombined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. In addition,the functionality may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware orhardware equivalents such as integrated circuits, field programmablegate arrays (FPGA), and the like. Particular data structures may be usedto more effectively implement one or more aspects discussed herein, andsuch data structures are contemplated within the scope of computerexecutable instructions and computer-usable data described herein.Various aspects discussed herein may be embodied as a method, acomputing device, a system, and/or a computer program product.

Although the present invention has been described in certain specificaspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparentto those skilled in the art. In particular, any of the various processesdescribed above may be performed in alternative sequences and/or inparallel (on different computing devices) in order to achieve similarresults in a manner that is more appropriate to the requirements of aspecific application. It is therefore to be understood that the presentinvention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described. Thus,embodiments of the present disclosure should be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A smart card frame for performing a contactlessdata transaction between a transaction card and a terminal, the smartcard frame comprising: a flat sheet; a receptacle integrated in the flatsheet and configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure thetransaction card in the smart card frame; an antenna integrated in thesmart card frame; and memory and a processor circuit integrated in theflat sheet, wherein the processor circuit is configured to: perform, viathe antenna, a first communication wirelessly between the processorcircuit and the terminal; perform a second communication between theprocessor circuit and the transaction card when the transaction card issecured in the receptacle; receive, in the second communication, a firstidentifier unique to the transaction card; retrieve from the memory, asecond identifier unique to the smart card frame; and generate a thirdidentifier based on the first identifier and the second identifier,wherein the first communication and the second communication convey datato perform the contactless data transaction between the transaction cardand the terminal, and wherein the third identifier is transmitted to theterminal in the first communication.
 2. The smart card frame of claim 1,further comprising a second antenna, wherein the processor circuit isconfigured to perform the second communication wirelessly via the secondantenna.
 3. The smart card frame of claim 2, further comprising anelectromagnetic shield configured to block the second communication frombeing radiated external to the smart card frame.
 4. The smart card frameof claim 2, further comprising a power circuit, wherein the powercircuit is configured to supply, via the second antenna, electricalpower to the transaction card.
 5. The smart card frame of claim 1,further comprising an electromagnetic shield configured to block radiofrequency communications external to the smart card frame from beingreceived by the transaction card while the transaction card is securedin the receptacle.
 6. The smart card frame of claim 1, wherein theprocessor circuit is configured to: perform, with a third communication,a second data transaction between the smart card frame and the terminalwhen the transaction card is not secured in the receptacle.
 7. The smartcard frame of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is a securecredential from the transaction card, and wherein the processor circuitis configured to: verify an identity of the transaction card viaauthentication of the secure credential.
 8. The smart card frame ofclaim 7, wherein the processor circuit is configured to perform thesecond communication based on the authentication of the securecredential.
 9. The smart card frame of claim 1, wherein: the receptacleis configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure any of aplurality of transaction cards in the smart card frame; and theprocessor circuit is configured to: perform a plurality of thirdcommunications between the processor circuit and, respectively, theplurality of transaction cards; verify, based on the plurality of thirdcommunications, a plurality of identities respectively of the pluralityof transaction cards; and perform, via the antenna, a plurality offourth wireless communications between the processor circuit and theterminal, wherein the plurality of third communications and theplurality of fourth wireless communications convey information betweenthe plurality of transaction cards and the terminal to perform aplurality of contactless data transactions.
 10. The smart card frame ofclaim 1, further comprising a power circuit configured to: convert radiofrequency power received via the antenna to direct-current power; andsupply the direct-current power to the processor circuit.
 11. A smartcard system for performing contactless data transactions, the smart cardsystem comprising a smart card frame and one or more transaction cards,wherein: each of the one or more transaction cards comprises: a firstantenna and a first processor circuit, wherein the first processorcircuit is configured to, via the first antenna, perform a firstcontactless data transaction with a terminal based on a first securecredential stored in and unique to that transaction card; and the smartcard frame comprises: a flat sheet; a receptacle integrated in the flatsheet and configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure each ofthe one or more transaction cards in the smart card frame; a secondantenna; and a second processor circuit integrated in the flat sheet,wherein the second processor circuit is configured to, for each of theone or more transaction cards: generate a third secure credential basedon a second secure credential stored in the smart card frame and basedon the first secure credential, wherein the third secure credential isunique to a combination of the transaction card and the smart cardframe; and perform a second contactless data transaction with theterminal based on the third secure credential.
 12. The smart card systemof claim 11, wherein the second processor circuit is configured to:detect that the receptacle is empty; and perform, in response to thereceptacle being empty, a third contactless data transaction with theterminal based on the second secure credential and not based on thethird secure credential.
 13. The smart card system of claim 11, whereinthe smart card frame further comprises an electromagnetic shieldconfigured to block radio frequency communications external to the smartcard frame from being received by the first antenna.
 14. The smart cardsystem of claim 11, wherein the smart card frame further comprises athird antenna, wherein the second processor circuit is configured toexchange data with the first processor circuit of any of the one or moretransaction cards, while secured in the receptacle, via wirelesscommunication between the first antenna and the third antenna.
 15. Thesmart card system of claim 14, wherein the smart card frame isconfigured to supply, via the third antenna, electrical power to any oneof the one or more transaction cards while secured in the receptacle.16. A method of performing a contactless data transaction, comprising:receiving, via an antenna in a card frame, a first communication from aterminal; detecting, in response to the first communication, a presenceof a transaction card in a receptacle integrated in the card frame;performing, by the card frame, a second communication with thetransaction card; determining, based on the second communication, afirst identifier unique to the transaction card; determining, a secondidentifier unique to the card frame; generating a third identifier basedon the first identifier and the second identifier and performing, viathe antenna and based on the third identifier, a third communicationwith the terminal, wherein the second communication and the thirdcommunication convey data between the transaction card and the terminalto perform the contactless data transaction.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the first identifier is a secure credential from the transactioncard; and wherein the method further comprises verifying the identity ofthe transaction card via authentication of the secure credential,wherein the performing of the third communication is based on theauthentication of the secure credential.
 18. The method of claim 16,further comprising: receiving, via the antenna, a fourth communicationfrom the terminal; detecting, in response to the fourth communication,an absence of the transaction card in the receptacle integrated in thecard frame; and performing, via the antenna, a fifth communication withthe terminal which indicates the absence of the transaction card. 19.The method of claim 16, wherein the performing, by the card frame, ofthe second communication, comprises wirelessly transmitting informationto, or wirelessly receiving information from, the transaction card via asecond antenna.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:supplying, wirelessly via the second antenna, electrical power to thetransaction card.